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Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide
Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide | Eva Talmadge
24 posts | 4 read | 12 to read
The Word Made Flesh: Literary Tattoos from Bookworms Worldwide is a guide to the emerging subculture of literary tattoos--a collection of more than 150 full-color photographs of human epidermis indelibly adorned with quotations and illustrations from Dickinson to Pynchon, from Shakespeare to Plath. With beloved lines of verse, literary portraits, and illustrations--and statements from the bearers on their tattoos' history and the personal significance of the chosen literary work--The Word Made Flesh is part collection of photographs and part literary anthology written on skin.
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monalyisha
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I submitted 3 literary tattoo designs to an artist whose books opened yesterday! One is inspired by American Gods; the goddess Easter has forget-me-nots tattooed around her left wrist. Another, Harold and the Purple Crayon. It would be a pie with a purple jam smear & a crayon crescent moon. The third comes from my love of the ocean, & a color essay entitled, “Glaucous, the Greeny Blue of Epic Poetry and Succulents” by Katy Kelleher for The Awl.

monalyisha Getting a tattoo appointment feels like a super competitive market right now, so who knows if I‘ll even get a response…but I‘d love all three of these! 3y
BookwormAHN Good luck 🍀 3y
TheKidUpstairs Gorgeous! I hope you get an appointment soon! 3y
64 likes3 comments
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LiteraryinPA

Hi friends! I‘ve been thinking lately about getting my first small tattoo, and (of course) if I do I‘d want something literary. I‘m thinking something about books/reading in general, not a symbol from a particular fandom. I‘ve been looking online at lots of pictures (and I also borrowed the tagged book), but if anyone wants to show me their literary tattoo, I‘d welcome the inspiration! Thanks! 😁

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monalyisha
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Bad-ass literary tattoo (not mine) by nowtattooer (on instagram). 💀✌🏻📚

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Krisjericho
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#bookishtattoo I just feel the need to show off my tattoo again because I love it so much. Not new, nothing added, but it is still the best. ❤️

GarthRanzz That‘s cool! 7y
GypsyKat Oh, I love this! 7y
40 likes2 comments
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monalyisha
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New mother-daughter crown tattoos - because we rule. 😉👑

I went with a “Where the Wild Things Are” crown design. Let the wild rumpus start!

wanderinglynn Very cool! 7y
readherwriteher I love it! 7y
AmyG How sweet. ❤️ 7y
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TrishB Very cool 👍🏻 7y
lil_ms_spitfire That's awesome 7y
LiteraryinPA Love them! 7y
JoScho ❤️❤️❤️ 7y
TheBookgeekFrau 😍😍 7y
sprainedbrain Beautiful! 😍 7y
Craftylikefox Sooo cute! 7y
MeganAnn This is so cool!! I love that you both picked your own crown design 😍👑 7y
jillannjohn Love these! 7y
93 likes12 comments
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monalyisha
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I‘m getting a tattoo tomorrow & I‘m so excited/nervous! 🤩

TheBookgeekFrau Nice! What and where? 7y
TheFunkyBookworm Ohh! What are you getting and where?? 7y
monalyisha @C.Perone @TheFunkyBookworm I‘ll post a pic tomorrow! 😉 I‘ve been going back & forth between two designs (one literary & one historical) & I‘m still not 100% sure which one I‘m going to choose. 😅 (edited) 7y
See All 19 Comments
TheBookgeekFrau You can always get which ever one isn‘t chosen tomorrow another time. Can‘t wait to see the pic! BTW, is this your first? 7y
monalyisha @C.Perone It‘ll be my second. I have one inspired by “Bridge to Terabithia” on my shoulder. 💞 7y
TheFunkyBookworm Can‘t wait to see your pics! 7y
monalyisha @C.Perone Both designs are based on the same concept, so one will be chosen & one will end up in the tattoo idea graveyard. 😱 Dun dun dun! 7y
Craftylikefox Oh yay!!!! Can‘t wait to see the pics! 7y
TheQuietQuill Awesome! Can‘t wait to see the pictures! 7y
mrozzz Eeeeeeek!!! 7y
TheBookgeekFrau Someday you may want a third, so don‘t be so quick to kill it. I speak from experience, I was only getting one . . . I have 6 with two more designs in the pipeline 😁 7y
Drnkpnkprincess Just remember to keep breathing, if it starts to hurt... Like those deep yoga breaths! 7y
monalyisha @C.Perone I‘ve got several completely different ideas in the pipeline, too! I also thought I‘d be a “one & done” gal but it‘s hard to resist once you get an idea in your head! 7y
monalyisha @Drnkpnkprincess Thanks for the advice! 😉 It‘s going on the inside of my wrist, which is a small area so it‘ll be a small tattoo. I did okay with the one on my shoulder, so I‘m hoping that‘ll prove true for this one, too (despite the bony nature of wrists! 🙈) 7y
CouronneDhiver Don‘t psych yourself out... it‘s a temporary pain. 😊 7y
CouronneDhiver Also, can‘t wait to see it! 7y
Crystalblu Ask if your artist uses tagaderm. A total game changer. It makes the healing so much easier and I swear that the tattoo that it was used on is brighter. P.S. I go in on Monday;) 7y
readinginthedark If the shoulder one was big enough to be around the blade, this one shouldn‘t hurt nearly as much! 7y
76 likes19 comments
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monalyisha
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Inspired by @TheQuietQuill (who‘s getting her 1st tattoo) to share my own plans.

In a few weeks, my mom & I are taking a trip to VT, where we‘ll be getting matching crown tattoos. They‘re meant to symbolize “Girl Power” (mine will be designed after Queen Victoria‘s crown but with the Venus symbol on top instead of a cross). Pictured are one of my favorite tattoos done by the artist; a photo of my mom, gram & i; & the meme that inspired it all. 👑

monalyisha Challenge: Spot the literary reference in the collage! 7y
monalyisha Also, please note how unimpressed with our shenanigans my grandmother is. “Jesus Christ, I‘m just trying to take a nice family photo. Why did I have children?” 7y
PenguinInFlight I love that idea!! ❤️My mom, sister, and I are getting matching tattoos soon (if we can ever coordinate schedules). My dad was an artist and he passed away in 2007 from a brain aneurysm. He painted my mom a picture of apple blossoms, and we are each going to get one of the blossoms tattooed on us. 7y
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monalyisha @PenguinInFlight Those are some truly beautiful plans. 💞 7y
PenguinInFlight I‘ve never seen that meme, but I really it! I refer to the “keep your chin up, princess, or the crown falls” one on days when I‘m trying really hard to keep my shit together and nothing seems to go right. 👑 7y
monalyisha @PenguinInFlight Thanks! I think my mom‘s going to go the Princess route (it was my grandfather‘s nickname for her) & get more of a tiara design. I love that it‘s a design with multiple meanings, but if someone asks I can just say that it represents the idea that “Girls Rule.” 😉 (edited) 7y
rustoryhuf My daughter and I have matching heart tattoos. It meant a lot to me that she wanted her tat to match mine. Have fun! 7y
60 likes8 comments
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GondorGirl
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If you're in the Chattanooga area there is a literary tattoo event coming up that sounds like fun!

jpmcwisemorgan Oh that would be awesome! 7y
TricksyTails I would like this on my body. Yes, please. 😍😍😍 7y
LitLogophile This. Is. Awesome. 7y
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LitLogophile Currently googling how far Louisville is from Chattanooga 7y
LitLogophile 5 hrs😩 7y
GondorGirl @LitLogophile It's 9 hours for me, so I can't go... But it's going to be such a neat event! 7y
Eyelit Very cool! 7y
52 likes7 comments
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SarahSaysRead
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Gonna get a tattoo soon, and playing with the idea of a cat on a books/books. I've been wanting to get some sort of cat tattoo (for my Gabby 💕), but this is a way to make it bookish too. HMMMM... I'd want either the tail to curl into a G/g, or maybe a G on the book spine? Or titles of fave books on the spines? Idk, any suggestions?

#tattoos #cattattoos #bookishtattoos #lovemycat #literaryink #brainstorming

SarahSaysRead Note - all of my other tattoos are black only and very simple, so that colorful one isn't very me, but its super pretty. 7y
TheKidUpstairs I lobe the one on the top left. And it seems like it would be easy to have the tail curl into a funky g 7y
Lacythebookworm The colorful one is nice! I also like the one above it 😻 7y
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SarahSaysRead @TheKidUpstairs Yeah those 2 on the left are my fave. I'd have to make the kitties look furry somehow though, my Gabby is a med-hair. 7y
SarahSaysRead @Lacythebookworm That top right one is cool b/c there's a lot of books and I think it'd be easy to turn the tail into a letter. 7y
Alfoster Agree @Lacythebookworm ! I love the one on top right! 7y
JenReadsAlot I like the top 2! 7y
monalyisha I love the idea of turning the tail into a “g”! What a cool, subtle tribute. 7y
23 likes8 comments
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scripturient
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And it's done. 😍Now it only has to heal. 😊#bookishtattoos #literarytattoos

diovival 🙌 7y
Ashley_Nicoletto 🖤 this is great! 7y
britt_brooke 😍 7y
See All 32 Comments
TheNextBook Nice! I still need to get my HP tattoo. 7y
Cathythoughts It's beautiful & take care 🙏 7y
Jess_Read_This LOVE it! ❤️ 7y
Myhusbandhatesreading ❤️❤️ 7y
Suet624 💕💕 7y
Vbrrgirl ❤️👍🏻 7y
Cinfhen 😍🙌🏻 7y
MicheleinPhilly Love it! Be prepared for some fierce itchiness. But don't scratch. 7y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love it!!! 📚❤️ 7y
TrishB Lovely 💓 7y
Cspen113 Love it!! ❤️❤️. I‘ve been pondering a new book themed one. 7y
SpeculativeFemale Nice! Makes me itch for my next bit of ink... 7y
Sarah83 Gorgeous 😍 7y
vivastory Perfect! 7y
youneverarrived 😍😍😍 7y
DGRachel Beautiful! 😍 7y
RohitSawant Terrific! 7y
imabusybee Looks great!! Welcome to the club. 7y
Kalalalatja Awesome! 7y
Bookworm-Bobbie Amazing! 7y
bedandabook I love that! 7y
Rachellynnwright It‘s perfect! 7y
minkyb Wow. The shading is gorgeous! 7y
Meeko93 😍❤ 7y
CoffeeBooksRepeat You have given me inspiration! Love it! 7y
DrJAdMerricksson Love it! 7y
Maike This is awesome! 😍 7y
192 likes32 comments
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scripturient
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OK, I've been thinking about getting a #bookishtattoo for a while. So tonight I kind of started doodling and eventually came up with a crude rendering something like this. A book - obviously - and my son's initial plus the month and year he was born. Not sure if I'd leave the date and take something else but just as a general idea. This is also the place where I would get it, i.e. my wrist. Yay or nay, Littens?? Opinions, please. 😊 Thanks.

julesG Yay! I like the idea and the location. 8y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love it ❤️ 8y
Leelee08 That's awesome! 8y
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Ehbooklover I recently got a tattoo of an open book just below my wrist and I love it. Do it! 8y
Kristy_K 😍 Love it! 8y
Smangela That's adorable :) 8y
Sarah83 Schöne Idee oder wenn du statt dem Geburtstag ein stilisiertes Sternzeichen nimmst? Sieht dann auch wie ein Buchstabe aus? 🤔 8y
101 likes8 comments
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Krisjericho
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A whole book of literary tattoos can't be a bad thing. :) This was one of my favorites in there.

BrainyHeroine Yeah, I could not be trusted with that book. I'd take it to the tattoo shop by work and just be like "start with page one and keep going" haha 8y
41 likes1 stack add1 comment
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queerbookreader
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Thought you darlings would appreciate this book I just got at the library ✨ been planning a new tattoo so I decided to look at the tat books the library has. Mostly just books on modern white western ink, I was hoping for some material on ancient and/or indigenous ink for a less white perspective on tattoo history. Boo. ANYWAYZ. Does anyone here know how to publish a book? I have a themed tattoo book idea that I haven't seen done yet 💉

46 likes4 stack adds
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tracy.anne8

I am so excited! My amazing bridesmaids, as part of my bachelorette party, are going to pitch in for me to get a tattoo! Time to start planning my 2nd bookish #tattoo

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JSW
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My #bookishtattoo - a mermaid reading. 😍

TheNextBook I love it!! 8y
EvieBee Nice!! 8y
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JSW @TheNextBook ☺️thank you! Me too. 8y
JSW @EvieBee84 thanks! 😘 8y
TheNextBook Is it sad that I want mermaid hair?! I told Jonathan I want my hair to be long enough to get full boob coverage 😂 8y
McFarchie ❤👍🏽 8y
JSW @thenextbook nothing about wanting to be a mermaid is sad. 😃 mermaid-hood is my dream goal. 8y
46 likes8 comments
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Joriebooks
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My #bookishtattoo. I want to expand it someday. I want it to be a wall of books across my shoulders.
#bookriot #riotgrams

Redjewel_7734 Love that idea! 8y
87 likes1 comment
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Krisjericho
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This is my #bookishtattoo. I love it so much. It's on my upper thigh/hip. I need so many more tattoos, but this one makes me happy. #riotgrams

TrishB Cool 😀 8y
DeborahSmall I love it 😍 8y
Lmstraubie That's beautiful 😍 8y
McFarchie 8y
TheLondonBookworm That is stunning!! 8y
71 likes5 comments
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scripturient
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I'm thinking of getting another tattoo and this time I want a bookish one. What do you guys think about something like this here? I would also get it on my wrist. Opinions please!?

sherri Love the book! Would you get that word, too? Or a different one? Or no words? So many options. What if there were some sort of magic swirling out of the top of the book (I don't know what that might be but your tattoo artist could probably think of something). 8y
Notafraidofwords Love it 8y
I-read-and-eat I love it! I am actually getting one very much like that one with my mom 😊 8y
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scripturient @Sherri I'm not so sure about the word. Hmmm. But I like the magic swirl idea. Thanks!! 8y
rachellayown Oooh I love that! I want to get that now too! 8y
kspenmoll I really really like it- 8y
read.run.travel Love it! 😍 8y
OvyReadz Supercool!!! I am planning on something similar too 😻 Try to check out these too😺 http://pin.it/5ME1dQC http://pin.it/vuk_Ieo 8y
Crystalblu I'm planning on getting something really similar!! 8y
Sue That's awesome ! 8y
TaylorMay Really cute. Although let your artist know that you are up for additions. They can do amazing things if you show them a few things you love and let them make it unique 8y
Shvonne One day I'll get a bookish tattoo. I can't decide on what I want. 8y
Gissy Pretty! 😍 8y
Heideschrampf Yesyesyes 😍 8y
119 likes17 comments
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SarahSaysRead
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Current feels. The workday is dragging on forever. What are you doing right now that's keeping you from reading?

#idratherbereading #currently #bookishtattoo

Zelma I love your tattoo! I am busy with laundry, dishes, and about to hit grocery store instead of reading. Well, after Litsy of course! 8y
SarahSaysRead @Zelma Thanks! Hopefully that stuff will go by quickly 😉 I do kind of love reading while doing laundry. Having to get up to switch the laundry over keeps me from getting too sleepy, lol. 8y
Zelma @SarahSaysRead good point. I don't mind laundry, but I really don't feel like leaving the house today! However, the fridge is empty. 🙄 8y
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StephanieY I'm about 15 minutes away from a 1-hour train ride where I will be reading the entire time! 🙌 8y
SarahSaysRead @StephanieY I am very jealous of your train ride. 8y
Suet624 Babysitting the grandson. Just keep thinking of my book. It's right beside my right hand but I'm not allowed to read it. 😞 8y
rachellayown Best tattoo ever! 8y
SarahSaysRead @Suet624 That sounds like the worst 😔 8y
SarahSaysRead @rachellayown Thank ya 😊 8y
WordWaller Omg I love this tattoo!! It's perfect! 8y
SarahSaysRead @WordWaller Thank you! 😎 8y
33 likes11 comments
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theshrinkette
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This is my first tattoo (and only one so far), and I love it. I'd love to say that there's a really cool story behind it, but it's a combination of "I want a literary tattoo"+ " I don't know how much this is going to hurt so I don't want to commit to a giant one". Now that I know what it feels like I'm definitely getting more!

What about you guys?

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Imagineannie
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Got new ink today.

CaitlinSiem Nice! 9y
NatalieR Very cool! 9y
22 likes1 stack add2 comments